READ the small print when insuring your house as your policy may not cover everything you think it does.

In the wake of the recent bad weather, Andrew Perryman, of specialist insurance website www.bestdealinsurance.co.uk, is calling for urgent action in relation to buildings insurance.

He said: "There are two main problems in the home insurance sector.

"The first is that many people simply do not bother to insure their homes. Despite the general consensus that buildings insurance is compulsory, there is no legislation nor any processes in place to check that a homeowner actually has cover.

"The second problem is that many people buy a cheap policy on a non-advised basis, believing that they are fully protected."

Mr Perryman says that more than 257,000 claims every year are turned down by insurance companies where there is inadequate cover or where customers found certain conditions were not covered at all.

A bulk standard policy will only cover the bare basics, and to get full protection most people will need to buy additional cover for a small extra premium.

"Sadly, many people make the mistake of buying the cheapest policy they can find. They may even shop around and compare it on a like for like basis with another, more expensive one and believe that the cheapest policy is offering the best deal, when in fact it isn't," he added.

"Hidden away in the small print could be any type of weird and wonderful exclusions."

So to be sure you’re covered, take advice from an expert.